Frenkie de Jong and Gakpo shoot the Orange to group victory

National coach Louis van Gaal once again chose to start with a different starting line-up than in the games against Senegal and Ecuador. Against Qatar, Memphis Depay and Marten de Roon were allowed to start from the first whistle this time. Hilversum summer Davy Klaassen was also allowed to start in the base for the second time in a row. Ajax player Steven Bergwijn, on the other hand, was passed for the first time in this tournament.

As expected, the Netherlands started the game aggressively to force the opening goal as quickly as possible, but the Orange had difficulty getting through the defense of the Qatari in that opening phase. After 27 minutes, Cody Gakpo broke the spell on behalf of the Netherlands, just like in the first two group matches. The PSV attacker shot the 1-0 into the far corner with a dry bang. In the remainder of the first half, the Orange was no longer dangerous.

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After tea, the Netherlands quickly came 2-0. Frenkie de Jong was there like the chickens to poke a bet from Depay up close. It was only his second international goal for the former Ajax player. After De Jong’s goal, Qatar’s resistance seemed broken. The number 50 in the world ranking could no longer make a fist against the Orange.

Group profit

Despite bringing in former AZ strikers Vincent Janssen and Wout Weghorst, the Netherlands no longer managed to become really dangerous. The Dutch seemed to score a third goal, but a goal by Ajax player Steven Berghuis was rightly rejected due to hands from Gakpo. In the final phase, Van Gaal dropped in Alkmaar-born Kenneth Taylor, who was allowed to make his first minutes in a final tournament.

With the 2-0 victory, the Netherlands is certain of a group win in group A. Later today it will become clear whether the Netherlands will play against England, Iran, Wales or the United States in the last sixteen next Saturday.

Lineup Netherlands: Noppert; Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Ake, Blind; F. De Jong (Taylor/87), De Roon (Koopmeiners/83), Klaassen (Berghuis/66); Depay (Janssen/66), Gakpo (Weghorst/83)